Draft rigging



Oct. 30, 19734. D, 5 BARROWS 1,978,617

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Sept. l0, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 30, 1934. D, s. BARROWS 1,978,617

A DRAFT RIGGING Filed sept. 1o. 1928 s sheets-sheet 2 0 f5@ M@ LW, 'J f 6a. /f /o 5a willi] D. S. BARROWS 0er. 3o, 1934.

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Sept. l0. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IJ m= \..l-\\ 1L I LSD/mank@ Patented ct. 30, 1934 DRAFT RIGGING Donald S. Barrows, Rochester, N..Y., assignor to The Symington Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application September 10, 1928, Serial No. 305,075

8 Claims. (Cl. 2135-69,)

rIhis invention relates torailway draft rigging and more particularly to a swivel butt coupler so formed that vertical angling between theparts is permitted to a slight degree as well as horizontal angling.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a swivel butt coupler or one adapted to angle horizontally, so modied that itis also adapted to angle vertically to a i. slight extent, novel means being also provided for holding the pivot pin connecting the parts of the coupler stern. y v

Another object of my invention is to provide a swivel butt couplerv so modied that a small amount of vertical angling is permitted due to tapering intercalated flanges on the coupler stem, associated swivel block, ror both.

A further object of my invention is to provide a swivel butt coupler stem with a pivotally connected swivel block, some of the holes receiving the pivot means between said coupler stem and block being broached oval and clearance between the intercalated flanges onvthe connected parts being provided for permitting a slight amount of vertical angling therebetween.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a coupler stem and pivotally connected swivel block, the pivot means between said parts being adapted to take the form of simple cylindrical pins which extend to but do not intersect a slot for receiving a horizontal draft key for connecting said swivel but coupler with an associated yoke, said swivel block being provided with bosses or lugs partly closing the inner ends of the pivot means receiving apertures for supporting the adjacent ends of said pivot means, the outer ends of said pivot means being held in position by suitable retaining means on said swivel block.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustratingmy in,- vention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a plan of one embodiment of my swivel butt coupler, the associated horizontal yoke and connecting draft key being illustrated by dot and dash lines.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, shown partly insection on line 2--2 of Figure 1, the associated yoke being omitted.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the swivel block detached from the coupler stem.

Figure 4 is a plan of the coupler shank with the associated swivel block detached therefrom.

Figure 5 is aview corresponding to Figure 2 but showing a modication of my invention.

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing another modification of my invention.

Figure 7 is a plan, partly in central horizontal section, of another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view, shown partly in central vertical section, of the embodiment of my invention illustrated` in Figure '7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like vreference characters, and iirst considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1-4, inclusive, a coupler l is shown with rearwardly extending flanges 2 and 3 on the `stern or shank 4 thereof. Associated with said coupler shank is a swivel blockor butt member 5, formed with intercalated flanges or webs 6, '7 and 8, which are so spaced thatthey receive therebetween the flanges 2 and 3 on the coupler shank, registering apertures 9 and 10 being provided in the intercalated flanges on the coupler and swivel block, respectively, and extending through said apertures for pivotally connecting said coupler and swivel block is pivot means 12.

In the present embodiment the pivot means 12 takes the form of a pair of simple cylindrical pins, the outer ends of which are held in place by means of retainers 13 passing thro-ugh spaced lugs 14 on the corresponding outer faces of the flanges 6 and 8 of the swivel block. In order to connect said coupler with the associated yoke 15 a slot 16 is provided for receiving the horizontal connecting draft key 17, said slot in the present embodiment being formed partly in the coupler shank 4 and partly in the intermediate flange '7 of the swivel block and extending between the pivot pins 12. In order to prevent interference between said pins and the draft key 17, lugs 13 are provided which partially close the apertures 10 in the bifurcated ange 7 between the inner ends of said pins 12, so that said pins are properly spaced, as indicated particularly in Figure 2.

The extreme edges of the flanges 2 and 3 on the coupler shank are curved approximately co-` axially with respect to the pin-receiving apertures 9 `therein and the inner wall of the swivel block between the flanges 6 and 7 and 7 and 8 is formed on a corresponding curvature whereby horizontal pivotal motion or angling between the parts, when assembled, is permitted. The extreme edges of the flanges 6, 'l and 8 of the swivel block are similarly formed coaxial with the pivot pin receiving apertures therethrough and the adjacent walls of the coupler butt are similarly curved for permitting the desired horizontal angling between the parts.

In order to permit a slight amount of vertical angling or pivotal motion about an axis angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the pivot pins l2 or pivot pin receiving apertures, the holes 9 through the flanges 2 and 3 for receiving said pins are preferably breached oval longitudinally of the coupler shank so that a. slight amount of vertical angling between said pin and flanges is permitted. Such oval broaching is illustrated particularly in Figure 4. In order not to interfere with said vertical angling, clearance is necessarily provided between the intercalated flanges 2 and 3 on the coupler shank and 6, 'I and 8 on the swivel block. Such clearance in the present embodiment is provided by tapering the flanges 2 and 3 or decreasing them in thickness both ways .from the pivot pin receiving apertures 9 therethrough, as illustrated most clearly in Figure 2. The clearance thus provided permits the desired amount of vertical angling therebetween without materially impairing the bearing areas between the parts for the transmission of draft or buiing forces.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 5, a form is there disclosed similar to that of the first embodiment, except that a full length or one-piece pin 12a is provided for connecting the shank 4a of the coupler 1 to the swivel block 5a by extending through apertures 9a in the flanges 2a and 3a on the shank and apertures 1 0a in the flanges 6a, 7a and 8a on the swivel block. In order to permit the use of a single full length pin 12a, the lugs previously referred to and designated as 18 are eliminated, preferably by drilling out, so that they do not interfere with the pin 12a. In the present embodiment the pin is formed with a notch 19 for receiving the rear edge of the associated draft key 17e. Said draft key will, of course, tend to maintain the pin 12a in position but in order to properly retain the pin without relying on the draft key, which is only in place after assembly with the associated yoke, pin retainers 13a are provided above and below the pin 12a extending through lugs 14St on the upper and lower faces of the swivel block on either side of said pin. In the present embodiment the ends of the pin are notched, as indicated at 20, receiving the retainers 13a therein, so that the turning of said pin is prevented.

In addition to the use of the full length pin in the present embodiment, the clearances la between the flanges 2a and 3a on the coupler shank and 6a, 7a and 8 on the swivel block are provided by tapering the swivel block flanges away from the coupler shank flanges on both sides of the pin 12a rather than by tapering the flanges on the coupler shank as in the previous embodiment.

Said coupler shank flanges may be maintained 'with parallel faces, as in Figure 5, or they may be tapered in the same manner as the flanges 2 and 3 are formed in the first embodiment. This further modification is illustrated in Figure 6 `in which the flanges 6b, 7b and 8b on the swivel block 5b are tapered, as in Figure 5, while 'the flanges 2b and 3b on the coupler shank 4b are tapered, as in Figures l and 2, whereby a greater amount of clearance may be conveniently provided for permitting vertical as well as horizontal angling between said coupler and swivel block.

It will be understood that the embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 are identical, except that a coupler shank with tapered flanges is used in the construction illustrated in Figure 6, instead of a shank with plain flanges or flanges with parallel faces.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, a form is there disclosed in which a coupler 1 is formed as before with rearwardly extending flanges 2 and 3 on the stem or shank 4 thereof. These flanges are intercalated with and embraced by corresponding flanges 6, 7 and 2 on the swivel block 5.

The flanges 2 and 3 on the coupler stem and 6, '7 and 3 on the swivel block are provided with registering apertures 9 and 10, respectively, for receiving pivot means 12. The pivot means in the present embodiment is shown as a full length pin supported at its lower end on an integral shelf 21 and held against undesired upward movement by means of a Cotter 22 extending through lugs 23 on opposite sides of the pin-receivingapertures As in the previous embodiments, the pin 12 is provided with a notch 19 for receiving the rear edge of the associated key 17 for connecting the coupler with the associated yoke said key for that purpose passing through the slot 16 in the coupler shank 4 and corresponding slots in the arms of the yoke 15.

In the present embodiment instead of forming the extreme edges of the flanges 2 and 3 on the coupler shank as cylindrical surfaces about the axis of the pin-receiving apertures 9, said edges are preferably formed as zones of a sphere, the center of said sphere preferably lying at the intersection of the longitudinal center line of the coupler shank with the forward edges of the apertures 9 through the flanges 2 and 3. The engaging surfaces on the swivel block 5 are, of g course, correspondingly curved so that full bearing areas for the transmission of builing forces are provided between the edges of the rear surfaces of the flanges 2 and 3 and the corresponding surfaces of pocket portions of the associated swivel block 5. The purpose of so curving these engaged surfaces on the connected parts is te permit not only the usual horizontal angling therebetween but also a slight amount of vertical angling, thereby providing for a limited amount of universal angling between the coupler stem and swivel block. The reason for positioning the center of the spherical surfaces as before specified is that this point is thought to be a convenient and logical location for the spherical bearing areas. The outer or forward surfaces on the flange 7 which is bifurcated by the draft key receiving slot 16 are also preferably formed surfaces of a` sphere concentric with the spherical surfaces on the flanges 2 and 3 and the engaging surfaces on the coupler stem are correspondingly curved, thereby augmenting the bearing area provided for the transmission of hurling forces from the coupler stem to the swivel block and onto the associated cushioning mechanism 'u (not shown).

In order to permit the vertical angling provided for by the spherical curving of the flanges 2, 3C and 7, the holes or pivot pin receiving apertures 9 through the flanges 2 and 3 are preferably breached oval longitudinally of the coupler shank, as in the previous embodiments, so that a slight amount of vertical angling' between the pin and flanges is permitted. In order not to interfere with such vertical angling clearance was heretofore necessarily provided between thel intercalated flanges on the coupler shank and the swivel block. Such clearance in the present embodiment is formed by tapering the flanges`2 1'5 and 3C or decreasingthem in thickness both ways from the forward end or side of the pivot pin receiving apertures 9 therethrough, as illustrated .most clearly in Figure 8. This location is chosen as it corresponds most closely with the center of l'OMthe spherical surfaces on said flanges. If they center of the spherical portions is changed, a corresponding change would occur in the location from which the flanges are tapered. The ,x clearance thus provided and designated by the ref- ""erence character 15d permits the desired amount of vertical angling between the parts, the bearing areas for the transmission ci" bufing forces being maintained on account of the spherical M bearing surfaces. The extreme edges of the 21j-*flanges 6c and 8c are shown as cylindrical rather than corresponding in curvature with the other flanges, sufficient clearance, however, being provided between the edges of said flanges and the corresponding surfaces on the coupler stem for 25 Ipermitting the desired angling between the parts. If desired the vertical dimensions of the flanges 2c and 3c on the coupler shank and the corresponding overall vertical dimensionof the swivel block may be increased to compensate for the tapering of the flanges 2c and 3G to thereby maintain the normal bearing area for the transmission of bufng forces.

lrom the foregoing it will be understood that I have devised a swivel butt coupler in which a 3i'5small amount of vertical angling between the coupler shank and associated swivel block, in both directions from their normal relation, is permitted by tapering some or all of the intercalated flanges on said coupler f shank and swivel block, whereby the necessary clearance for such vertical angling is provided. Clearance between the pin or pins connecting the coupler stem and swivel block is preferably provided by broaching the pin receiving apertures "in the coupler stem oval in a longitudinal direction rather than by merely forming said holes larger than the pin or pins to the necessary extent.

Although I have shown preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, because obvious modifications within the scope of the claims will occur to persons skilled in the art.

, Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A coupler stem comprising a pair of members with horizontally disposed intercalated flanges, vertical pivot means extending through said flanges for connecting said members for horizontal angling and providing for the transmission of draft forces therebetween, some of said flanges having walls receding from the adjacent walls of the other member, and said pivot means being loosely received, to provide clearg; ance for permitting both up and down pivotal motion between said members from normal relation.

2. A coupler stem comprising a plurality of members with intercalated flanges, a slot formed partly in each of said members and adapted to receive a horizontal draft key, said flanges being formed with registering apertures, pivot means extending through said apertures from below to but not intersecting the slot for said draft key, `pivot means extending through said apertures from above to but not intersecting the slot for `ends of said pivot means for holding them in place.

3. A coupler stem comprising a plurality of members with intercalated anges, a slot `formed in said stem and adapted to receive ay horizontal draft key, said flanges being formed with registering apertures, pivot means extending through said apertures from below to but not intersecting the slot for said draft key, pivot means eX- tending through said apertures from above to but not intersecting the slot for said draft key, said pivot means providing for the transmission of draft forces, means formed on one of said members, positioned beyond said slot and disposed between said pivot means for preventing interference thereof with said slot, and means engaging the outer ends of said pivot means for holding them in place, the outer edges of the flanges on one member engaging correspondingly pccketed portions of the other member.

4. In combination, a coupler stem, an associated member disposed rearwardly thereof, said coupler stem and member having intercalated flanges, said flanges having registering apertures, a slot adapted to receive a draft key and formed in said associated stem and member adjacent and intersecting the apertured portions, pivot means extending through said apertures, from below but not intersecting said slot and from above but not intersecting said slot, means formed on one of said pivotally` connected members and disposed between said pivot means for spreading them a given distance to keep them out of said slot, and means limiting upward movement of the upper pivot means and downward movement or" the lower pivot means.

5. In combination, a coupler stem, an associated member disposed rearwardly thereof, said coupler stem and member having generally parallel intercalated flanges, said flanges having registering apertures, some of said flanges being taperedto provide clearance permitting angling between said stem and member at right angles to the planes of said lianges, a slot adapted to receive a draft key and formed in said associated stem and member adjacent and intersecting the apertured portions, pivot means, providing for angling in a plane generally parallel to said flanges, extending loosely through said apertures, from below but not intersecting said slot and from above but not intersecting said slot, means formed on one of said pivotally connected members and disposed between said pivot means for spreading them a given distance to keep them out of said slot and from interfering with said angling, and means limiting upward movement of the upper pivot means and downward movement of the lower pivot means.

6. A coupler stem comprising a pair of members with intercalated flanges, pivot means eX- tending through said Ranges for connecting said members for relative angling and providing for the transmission of draft forces therebetween, some of said flanges having walls receding from the adjacent walls of the other member and said pivot means being loosely received to provide clearance for permitting pivotal motion at right angles to said :first-mentioned angling movement.

'7. A coupler stem comprising a pair of members with flanges normally disposed horizontally and intercalated with one another, pivot means Gil normally disposed vertically and extending through said flanges for connecting said inembers for angling with respect to one another and providing for the transmission of draft forces therebetween, the anges of both of said members tapering in thickness forwardly and rearwardly from said pivot means, and said pivot means being loosely received for providing clearance to permit angling between said members at right angles to that provided for by said pivot means.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

